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COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



THE DRAMA OF ISAIAH 



BY 



ELEANOR WOOD WHITMAN 

M 
Author of 

*'The Story of the Prophets of Israel,'' and 

"The Life and Ministry of 

Paul the Apostle'' 




THE PILGRIM PRESS 



BOSTON 



CHICAGO 






Copyright 1917 
Bv FRANK M. SHELDON 



i o^i^ 



THE PILGRIM PRESS 
BOSTON 



MAY 16 1917 

©CIA460857 



TO 

aiiilin f rati Jltjitmau 

TO WHOSE INSPIRATION AND 

COOPERATION THIS 

DRAMA IS DUE 



THE DRAMA OF ISAIAH 



SYNOPSIS OF THE PLAY 

ACT 1. Ill the Days of Uzziah the King. 
Jerusaleiu Pros])erous and Full of Injustiee. 
ScEXK 1. In front of Solomon's temple. 

Celebration of a feast of Yahweh. 
Scene 2. Worship at the temple. Isaiah 

ealled to be a Prophet. 
Scene 3. Market-plaee of Jerusalem. 

Isaiah a preaching bard. 

ACT II. In the Days of King Ahaz. Jeru- 
salem Attacked by Israel and Damascus. 
Scene 1. By the spring of Shiloah. Isaiah 
warns tlie king against applying to As- 
syria for help. 
Scene 2. In the market-place. Isaiah wins 
a few disciples to his Holy Remnant. 

ACT III. In the Days of King Hezekiah. 

Jerusalem Threatened by Assyria. 

Scene 1. Street of Jerusalem. Isaiah is 
a sign against applying to Eg}^pt for help. 

Scene 2. Hezekiah's throne-room. Coun- 
cil and king reject Isaiah's plea for faith. 

Scene 3. Hezekiah's Palace. The king, 
sick in body and soul, at last repents. 

Scene 4. The Assyrians appear before the 
walls of Jerusalem. The city is delivered 
and purified. 

vii 



Celestial Chorus — Major 

Andante cantabile M. D. Griffin 

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Celestial Chorus — Minor 

M. D. Griffin- 






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Mourning Song 

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IX 



CAST OF CHAJIACTERS 

King Ahaz 

King Hezekiah 

Isaiah, the Prophet 

Shear Yashub, Isaiah's Son 

Shebxa, the Treasurer 

Eliakim, the Steward 

JoAH, tlie Recorder 

Zechariah, a Councilor 

Abner, Attendant of the King- 

Uriah, the Priest 

Rabshakeh, the Assyrian 

Obadiah, a Temple Sen ant 

Jonathan, Isaiah's Disciple 

David, Isaiah's Disciple 

Samuel, Isaiah's Disciple 

Two Farmers 

Wine Merchant 

3Iessenger of Ekron 

Joshua, a IMessenger 

JoASH, a iSIessenger 

King Padi of Ekron, Soldiers, 
Bazaar- KEEPERS, M o n e y- 
CHANGER, Fruit-seller, 
Egyptian, Fakir, Mourn- 
ers, Seller of Lambs 



Shelaii, the Prophetess 

ZiLLAH, Leader of the Dancers 

Rebecca 

Rachel 

Judith 

Jonathan's ^Iother 

Celesti^vi. Chorus 



THE DRAMA OF ISAIAH^ 



ACT I— Scene 1 

{Before the curtain rises, the 
heating of the Syrian drum, called 
"'durbache/' is heard, and as the 
curtain goes up the outside of the 
temple^ together with the steps and 
columns of the temple porch are 
visible. Near the steps a money- 
changer is sitting cross-legged at 
his low table. Walking about is a 
seller of fruit with a basket on her 
head, Obadiah, an old man, is 
preparing the feast of figs and 
Syrian round flat bread, A group 
of gaily dressed young people 
laugh and talk while they wait for 
the music for the dance, A musi- 
cian is seen coming,) 

Judith 
Where is the musician? 

Samuel 
Oh, here he comes. 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Dayh)' 
(2^0 the musician) 
Hasten! The feast time passes. 

Samuel 
Soon the evening sacrifice must be offered. 

^(Zillah 7'uns across and leads 
in the musician, who carries an 
''aouf^ or mandolin, and seats him 
beside the durhache player. While 
they are prepaiing to play the 
young peoj^le talk together.) 

Jonathan 

Have you heard that Isaiah refused to dance 
at the feast in Bethel? 

All 
No, surely not. 

Jonathan 

Yes, I was there and saw him suddenly rise 
up like that old prophet, Amos, and say, *'The 
garments which you have spread out beside 
your altars were taken in pledge from the 
poor." 

2 



Tni: Dkama of Isaiah 

SllKLAll 

What inoi-e did he say? 

Jonathan 

He told thcni to remember the words of 
Amos — 

(Quotes mth astomshinent) 

"I liate, I despise your feasts, 

I i^vill not smell in your festivals. 

Take away from me the noise of yom* songs, 

And the melody of your lyres; 

And let Justice roll as waters. 

And Righteousness as an everflowing stream." 

{The crowd laugh increduloudy.) 

Samuel 
Oh, these prophets are mad! 

SlIELAH 

(To Samvej. mdignantly) 

Only the wise should condemn them. Let 
Justice roll as waters — (looking at Jona- 
than). But Isaiah is not a prophet. Might 
he become one? 



The Drama of Isaiah 

JoNiS.THAN 

I wonder if Yahweh might call Isaiah to 
be a prophet. I wonder if he will come to the 
feast today. 



Samuel 

We will trust Shelah to draw him into the 
dance. 

(ZiLLAH points her finger and 
all look and laugh at Shelah, who 
turns and hides her face in confu- 
sion,) 

{Enter Wine Merchant call- 
ing out his wares.) 



Wine Merchant 

Here is wine, new wine. 
The gleanings of the grape 
When the vintage is done. 

{A girl runs up and buys a 
drink, taking a coin from her 
girdle. ) 

Drink wine with a song, 
Dance with joy unceasing. 
4 



The Drama of Isaiah 

(A boy drinks, and runs away 
without paying, Obadiah comes 
and fills a jar for the feast he is 
preparing. He offers a coin; the 
Wine Merchant calamines it and 
shouts) 

It is not enough. Will you rob the poor? 



Obadiah 

This is the feast of Yahweh. You give 
wine to Yahweh. Now, begone! 

(The crowd drive off the Wine 
Merchant, who turns and shakes 
his fist at them,) 



Wine Merchant 

Yahweh will punish you; Yahweh will 
avenge the poor. 

(The dance music begins and 
the group dance the Syrian 
''Debke,'' Isaiah, young and 
richly dressed, enters, reading a 
roll. Several dancers hold out 
their hands, inviting him to join 
them. ) 

5 



The Dkama oi' 1saiai£ 

Isaiah* 

Are you joyful, O people of Jerusalem? 
Have not the words of Amos, the prophet, 
come to your ears ? Xot music but mercy does 
Yahweh desire. 

(Isaiah walks axcay reading the 
roll of Amos. The dancers begin 
the feast. Some buy figs, olives, 
etc., from the seller of frmt, get- 
ting their money changed by the 
money-changer. Jonathan aj)- 
proaches Isaiah, Shelah follow- 
ing him.) 



Jonathan 
Come, join in the feast of Yahweh. 

Shelah 
Rejoice with the children of Yahweh. 

( Isaiah looks at them a moment 
and then turns away, reading from 
the roll of Amos.) 

Isaiah 

Let Justice roll as waters, and Righteous- 
ness as an everflowing stream. 

6 



The Drama oi Isaiah 

(Shelah steps hack with Jon a 
THAN but keeps her eyes on Isaiah 
a7id says the tcoi^ds under her 
breath tvith him.) 

Obadiah 

VV^hy dost thou reject the customs of thy 
fathers? They worshiped Yahweh with the 
cithera and with the dance. 

Isaiah 

Because you sell the nghteous for silver and 
the needy for a pair of shoes. Wine wrung 
from the poor you drink at your feasts. 

Seller of I^ambs 

{Carrying lamb in arms, calls 
out repeatedly) 

I^ambs for the evening sacrifice ! 

(Zillah a7id Judith go away, 
talking gaily. Shelah talks to 
the Wine Merchant and gives 
him food. Isaiah, repulsing the 
man who tries to sell him a lamb, 
ascend.s two of the temple steps 
and, turning, reads from the roll.) 
7 



The Deama of Isaiah 

Isaiah 

Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings in 
the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? 

Though you offer me your burnt-offerings 
and meal-offerings, I will not accept them. 

I know how manifold are your transgres- 
sions, and how mighty are your sins; ye that 
afflict the just, and take a bribe. 

Therefore thus saith Yahweh: "Wailing 
shall be in all the broad streets ; they shall say, 
'Alas! alas!' they shall call the husbandman 
to mourning, and such as are skilful in lamen- 
tation to wailing. And in all vineyards shall 
be wailing; for I will pass thi'ough the midst 
of thee," saith Yahweh. 

( The sound of a funeral dirge is 
heard in the distance. All listen 
eagerly. A company of mourners 
enters, ^) 

Leader of Mourners 

At the ninth hour King Uzziah, the Right- 
eous, died. At sunset the tombs of the kings 
will receive him to sleep with his fathers. 

(The people prostrate them- 
selves in sorraw, Isaiah rends his 
garment and, coming down the 
steps, joins the others, putting 
dust on his head.) 
8 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Isaiah 

O God, thou hast forsaken thy people, the 
house of Jacob, because they are unjust; be- 
cause their land also is full of idols ; they wor- 
ship the work of theu' own hands, that which 
their own fingers have made. 

{The women dancers come 
hack, laughing gaily; Isaiah stops 
them with uplifted hand,) 

Uzziah the king is dead. {Looking at the 
women who, though frightened, show no signs 
of reverence.) Thou hast forsaken thy peo- 
ple, because the daughters of Zion are 
haughty. {The women make their way 
through the crowd while Isaiah follows them 
with his eyes and continues) You walk with 
stretched-forth necks and wanton eyes, walk- 
ing and mincing as you go, and making a 
tinkling with your feet. Behold, Yahweh 
shall take away the bravery of your anklets, 
and your sashes, and your bracelets. 

{The women pass out. The 
mourners softly chant their dirge 
while they pass out, followed by all 
the company except Shelah.) 

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth ; for 
Yahweh hath spoken: "I have nourished and 

9 



The Drama of Isaiah 

brought up childi-eu, and 'they have rebelled 
against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and 
the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not 
know, my people doth not consider." All, sin- 
ful nation, a people laden with iniquity ! They 
have forsaken thee, O Yahweh; they have 
despised thee, the Holy One of Israel. There- 
fore must thou destroy Judah. 

{While Isaiah is speaking, 
Shelah takes her place timidly 
hehind him. She looks tip into the 
heavens as he does, with an eccj^res' 
sioii indicating syjiipathy mth 
Isaiah's toords. When she hears 
him say that Yahweh will destroy 
Judah, she comes forward with 
passionate de termin ation. ) 



Shelah 

Xo, Yahweh will never forsake Judah! 
Cannot justice flow as waters through the 
streets of Jerusalem? Cannot Yahweh make 
his city holy? (Isaiah looks at her thought' 

fully n 



10 



The Dkama of Isaiah 

Scene 2 

(Porch of the temple.'' Uriah, 
the priest, attending the fire on an 
altar of incense, Samuei. and 
Obadiah, entering, give the priest 
incense, prostrate themselves in 
K astern fashion and pray as he 
burns it, Shelah, entering, gives 
incense and prays standing. Re- 
iJECCA and Rachel also pray and, 
as they leave, Jonathan enters. 
ZiLLAH and Judith enter and mth 
flippancy and irreverence give 
their incense to the 2^r/e6'f, hut in- 
stead of praying as he hums it then 
CiV amine the embroidery of each 
other's dresses. Isaiah, entering, 
watches them. They give a pres- 
ent to the priest and hurry out, 
looking mockingly at Isaiah.) 

Isaiah 

How is the faitliful city become a harlot! 
she that was full of judgment! righteousness 
lodered in her. Thy silver is become dross, thy 
wine mixed with water. Thy princes ai-e re- 
bellious, and companions of thieves ; ever}^ one 
loveth gifts (looking at priest), and follow^eth 
after rewards: they judge not the fatlierless, 

11 



The Drama of Isaiah 

neither doth the cause of the widow come unto 
them. {Prostrates himself and prays as the 
priest goes into the temple,) O Yahweh, 
Yahweh of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, 
wilt thou ease thee of thine adversaries and 
avenge thee of thine enemies? Must Jeru- 
salem become as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and 
as a garden that hath no water? (Puts face to 
earth, then in attitude of prayer stretches out 
his hands toward temple. Sile^ice,) 

Chorus of Seraphim 
{From above or within temple J) 

Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of hosts: the 
whole earth is full of his glory. 

{As the first word is heard, 
Isaiah partially rises, listens and 
looks intently into the temple. In- 
cense issues from the temple, and a 
brilliant light, with the low rumble 
of thunder, while Isaiah is trans- 
figured by a vision of God, seen by 
him alone.) 

Isaiah 

Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am 
a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst 
of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have 
seen the King, Yahweh of hosts. 

12 



The Drama of Isaiah 

(Isaiah's attitude expresses 
agony of spirit. ) 

Voice of God 

(From within the temple) 

Lo, thine iniquity is taken away, and thy 
sin is purged. (Isaiah looks toward the tern- 
pie with joy.) Whom shall I send, and who 
will go for us? 

Isaiah 
Here am I ; send me. 

Voice of God 

Go, and tell this people, "Hear ye indeed, 
but understand not; and see ye indeed, but 
perceive not." 

Isaiah 

(Looking into the temple with 
passionate anxiety) 

How long, O Lord? How long? 

Voice of God 

Until cities be waste without inhabitant, and 
houses without man, and the land be utterly 
waste, and there be but a tenth in the midst of 
the land. 

13 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Isaiah 

Until the Lord shall have washed away the 
filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have 
purged the blood of Jerusalem. In that day 
shall the branch of Yahweh be beautiful and 
glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be ex- 
cellent and comely for them that are escaped 
of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that he 
that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in 
Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one 
that is written among the living in Jerusalem. 
Over the whole habitation of Mount Zion shall 
be spread as a canopy the glory of Yahweh. 

Chorus 

Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of hosts: the 
whole earth is full of his glory. 

"(Isaiah gathers inspiration 
from the words of the Chorus 
and walks out with determination, 
saf/ing) 

Isaiah 
Jerusalem must be holv! 



14 



The Drama oi Isaiah 

Scene 3 

(A market -place, with the ba- 
zaar^ of a jetcelrij dealer icith his 
xcares hung in front. He sit if on 
the floor pounding metal. Bazaar 
of a scarf maker with scarfs for the 
head hung out. Street musicians 
take places near bazaars and play. 
Various people pass along the 
street talking. Two men glance at 
the j excel rij shop, then pass it bij 
with contempt and begin making a 
bargain with the scarf dealer. Ttco 
women enter and one of them be- 
gins an animated bargain for a 
bracelet. The dealer holds up four 
fingers, the woman, one; she leaves 
scornfully. He runs after her, giv- 
ing it to her for one'. Isaiah en- 
ters, dressed as a wandering bard, 
climbs on the plaform between the 
bazaars and thrums the strings of 
a harp."" The people gather round 
expectanthj.) 



Isaiah 

A song will I sing of my friend, 
A love song touching his vineyard. 
15 



The Dkama of Isaiah 

A vineyard belongs to my friend, 

On a hill that is f i-uitf ul and sunny ; 
He digged it, and cleared it of stones, 

And planted there vines that are choice ; 
A tower he built in the midst. 

And hewed also therein a wine-vat ; 
And he looked to find grapes that are good ; 

Alas ! it bore grapes that are wild. 

Ye, in Jerusalem dwelling, 

And ye, who are freemen of Judah, 
Judge ye, I pray, between me 

And my cherished vineyard. 
What could have been done for my vineyard 

That I had not done ? 
When I looked to find grapes that are good. 

Why bore it grapes that are wild? 

And now let me give you to know 

What I purpose to do to mj^ vineyard : 
I will take away its hedge, 

That it be eaten up, 
I will break through its walls. 

That it be trodden down ; 
Yea, I will make it a waste, 

Neither pruned nor weeded. 

It shall shoot up in thorns and briers, 
And the clouds will I enjoin that they rain 
not upon it. 

16 



The Drama of Isaiah 

For the vineyard of Yahweh Sabaoth is the^ 
house of Israel, 

And the men of Judah his cherished planta- 
tion. 

And he looked for justice, but, behold, 
bloodshed ; 

For righteousness, but, behold, an outcry. 

{Tlie attitude of the crowd 
changes to hostility during the 
song, and becomes menacing dur- 
ing the following woes.) 

Woe unto them that join house to house, 
that lay field to field, till there be no room, 
and ye be made to dwell alone in the midst of 
the land! {A portly land owner leaves with 
disgust.) Woe unto them that rise up early 
in the morning, that they ma}^ follow strong 
drink; that tarry late into the night, till wine 
inflame them ! 

Obadiah 
Bah! Must you always drink water? 
(The Wine Merchant leaves.) 

Isaiah 

Woe unto them that justify the wicked for 
a reward, and take away the righteousness of 
the righteous from him! Woe imto them that 

17 



The DiiAMA oi' Isaiah 

call evil good, and good evil ; that put darkness 
for light, and light for darkness; that put bit- 
ter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 

Samuel 
Did I not say these j^rophets are mad ? 
{Leaves and beckons to others.) 

Isaiah 

Therefore, as the tongue of fire devoureth 
the stubble, and as the dry grass sinketh down 
in the flame, so their root shall be as rottenness, 
and their blossom shall go up as dust ; because 
they have rejected the law of Yahweh of hosts, 
and despised the word of the Holy One of 
Israel. 

(The crowd rushes out, showing 
signs of anger at Isaiah. The 
bazaar keepers shut up shop with 
disgust. Shelah alone remains 
sitting with bowed head on one of 
the bazaar steps. Isaiah bows his 
head over his harp. The chant of 
the Chorus is heard softly.) 

Chorus 

{In minor^'') 

18 



Tju: Dkama ov Isaiah 

Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweli of hosts; the 
whole earth is full of his ^i^'lory. 



Shei^aii 

{Coining foftcard, speaks to her- 
self rejleetivehf. ) 

Hear they indeed, but understand not ; 
See they indeed, but perceive not. 

Isaiah 

But thou dost understand; thou dost per- 
ceive. Help nie make Jerusalem holy. 

(Shelaii puts her hand in his; 
together they listen to the Chorus.) 



Chorus 
{In major) 

Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of hosts: the 
whole earth is full of his glory. 

{Curtain or eocit.) 



10 



ACT II— Scene 1 



( Outside the wall of Jerusalem^^ 
Two women, Rachel and Re- 
becca, drawing water from the 
spring of Shiloah, One woman 
dips up a jar of water and the 
other helps to put it on her head, 
A sudden clamor startles them as a 
young man, Joshua, rushes in.) 



Rebecca 

What has happened? Is Jerusalem be- 
sieged ? 

Joshua 

Rezin, king of Damascus, and Pekah, king 
of Israel, have come up to Jerusalem to make 
war against it. 

Rachel 
Surely our King Ahaz will protect us. 

20 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Joshua 

They have said, "Let us go up against 
Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach 
in it, and remove King Ahaz and set up a king 
of our own, even the son of Tabeel." 

{Two councilors of the king en- 
ter, walking rapidly; Shebna^ the 
treasurer, dressed as an Arab, and 
Eliakim, the steward,) 

Shebna 

{To the women and Joshua) 

Go! The king comes to examine the spring 
of Shiloah. {Another clamor of war as they 
go out.) 

Eliakim 

We are lost if our enemies capture our 
water. The king should be here now. ( Voices 
are heard,) Ah! There he comes. {Enter 
King Ahaz xmth an attendant, Zechariah.) 

Zechariah 

{Going before the king) 

Here is the j^lace, in the highway of the 
fuller's field. 

21 



The Dkama of Isaiah 

Eliakim 

O king, the conduit {ihcfj look into the 
spring where is the oldening of an underyroujid 
conduit) is too small to supply the city. The 
waters of Shiloah trickle but gently into the 
upper pool. Cannot the conduit be enlarged? 

{Another clamor of war,) 

King Ahaz 

But our enemies are upon us. Can I procure 
enouerh men with picks to cut a tunnel in the 
night? (Clamor of war.) It is too late! 

(Isaiah enters with his son, un- 
noticed. ) 

Shebna 
{Craftikf) 

O king, there is only one hope. Send mes- 
sengers to the king of Assyria saying, "I am 
thy servant and thy son; come up, and save 
me out of the hand of the king of Damascus, 
and out of the hand of the king of Israel, who 
rise up against me." 

Eliakim 

For that, it would be necessary to take all 
the silver and gold found in the house of Yah- 

22 



Tjij: Dhama oi Isaiah 

well, and in the treasury of the king's liouse, 
and send it for a present to the king of As- 
syria! Surely we eannot rob the house of 
Yahweli ! 

Shkuna 
Why not take Yahweh's money to save 
Yahw^h's city? 

Isaiah 

Because thy heart is moved, and the heart 
of thy people, as the trees of the forest are 
moved with the >vind, Yahweh hath said unto 
me, "Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou and 
thy son" — O king, my son Shear Yashub — a 
remnant shall turn. 

King 

(Starts, looking at hoy, then at 
Isaiah) 

Remnant ? 

Isaiah 
Truly, a remnant — those w^ho will not seek 
aid from Assyria but will trust in God. 

King 

(S botes surprise at mention of 
Assyria, hut, recovering himself, 
says) 

Assyria is mighty. 

23 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Isaiah 

{Pleadingly) 

Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither 
let thy heart be faint, because of these two 
tails of smoking firebrands. The fierce anger 
of Rezin and Pekah shall not hurt Jerusalem. 
Seek not aid from Assyria: trust Yahweh. If 
ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be 
established. {Clamor of war.) 

King 

Assyria's arrows are sharp, and all their 
bows bent; their horses' hoofs are like flint, 
and their wheels like a whirlwind. {Clamor 
of war, ) Their roaring is like a lion ; Assyria 
is might; Israel is right; shall not Assyria's 
might protect Israel's right? 

Isaiah 

{Shocked at the king's words, 
passionately) 

Ask thee a sign of Yahweh thy God; ask it 
either in the depth, or in the height above. 

King 

I will not ask, neither will I tempt Yahweh. 
24 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Isaiah 

Hear now, O house of David; is it not 
enough for you to weary men, that ye must 
weary God also? Therefore the Lord himself 
shall give you a sign ; behold, a young woman 
will conceive, and bear a son, and will call his 
name Immanuel. Curds and honey shall he 
eat, when he knows how to refuse the evil, and 
choose the good. For before the child knows 
how to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the 
land of whose two kings thou art sore afraid 
will be unpeopled, and Judah prosperous. But 
in the days that are to come, if thou callest As- 
syria, they will come, all of them, and settle 
like bees in the valley of Judah. 

{The king walks out haughtily, 
followed hy councilors. Isaiah 
shows distress that he has failed to 
win the king.) (Clamor of war.) 

Isaiah 

Behold, darkness and distress must come, 
and the gloom of anguish. Men will pass 
through it, hardly bestead and hungry. They 
will curse by their king. (Looks where Ahaz 
has walked out. Going over to where his son 
has been playing with sticks and stones, build- 
ing a house, Isaiah takes the boy's face in his 
hands and looks searchingly into his eyes. As 
he looks, his gloom turns to hope and joy.) 

35 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Isaiah 

But in days to come, after Judah is purified, 
then the people that walk in darkness shall 
see a great light: they that dwell in the land 
of the shadow of death, upon them shall the 
light shine. For every boot of the warrior 
whose tread resomids, and eveiy war-cloak 
drenched with blood, will be burned up, will be 
fuel for fire. For unto us a child is bom, unto 
us a son is given ; and tlie government shall be 
upon his shoulder ; and his name shall be called 
Wondrous-Counselor, God of a Hero, Prince 
of Peace, Everlasting Father. Of the increase 
of his government and of peace there shall be 
no end. 

( While Isaiah has been speak- 
ing, his wife, Shelah, has ap- 
pearedy looking anivioushj for her 
son, who now rims over to her. 
She sends him to bring his father. 
Clasping the hand of the boy and 
of Shelah, Isaiah leaves.) 



Scene 2 



{Enter two farmers who are 
bnnging in vegetables for their 
bazaars. ) 

26 



The Drama of Isaiah 

First Farmer 

Today they iiui>' attack the temple wall from 
the nortli. 

Second Farmer 
(As if imparting a secret) 

No, rich presents of King Ahaz, taken from 
our temple and sent to Assyria, have won their 
help. 

P'irst Farmer 

Oh, we do not want help from Assyria. As- 
syria is heathen. 

Second Farmer 

Oh, but Assyria is great. ^Vssyria can fight. 

{Farmers spread out their vege- 
tables on floor and front of bazaars. 
Enter Isaiah tcith Uriah, the 
priest, and Zechariah, the king's 
attendant, Isaiah carries a great 
tablet which he sets up against the 
side of the bazaar, then turns to his 
txco attendants.) 

27 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Isaiah 
I have brought you here as faithful wit- 
nesses. Know, O men, that today the 
prophetess hath borne a son. And Yahweh 
said unto me, "Call his name Maher-shalal- 
hash-baz (haste the booty — speed the prey), 
for before the child shall have knowledge to 
cry, *My father,' and *My mother,' the riches 
of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be 
carried away before the king of Assyria." 

Second Farmer 
Yes, Assyria will save us; King Ahaz has 
sent to Assyria. 

Crowd 
Assyria ; King Ahaz ! 

{Others come in to market, 
among them a group of young 
men who watch Isaiah as he writes 
in Hebrew upon the tablet, pro- 
nouncing and translating : 

^nr^ — Maher — haste 
bbt — Shalal — the booty 
tn —Hash — speed 
:3 — Baz— the prey 

Isaiah suddenly turns round upon 
those who are watching him write 
and speaks rapidly and pa^mon- 
ately,) 

28 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Isaiah 

O my people dwelling in Zion, you are 
afraid of armies, but you do not fear Yahweh. 
Justice you do not regard. Therefore, Yah- 
weh must stretch out his hand against you and 
make you the booty of Assyria. For all this 
his anger is not turned away, but his hand is 
stretched out still. 

Woe unto them that decree unrighteous de- 
crees, and to the writers that write perverse- 
ness; to turn aside the needy from judgment, 
and to take away the right of the poor of my 
people, that widows may be their spoil, and 
that they may make the fatherless their prey! 
And what will ye do in the day of visitation, 
and in the desolation which shall come from 
far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where 
will ye leave your glory? Ye shall only bow 
down as prisoners, and shall fall imder the 
slain. For all this his anger is not turned 
away, but his hand is stretched out still. 

(Two young men, David and 
Samuel, coine forward.) 



David 

O Isaiah, we would be of the holy remnant 
who regard not the might of Assyria but trust 
in Yahweh. 



The Drama of Isaiah 

ISAIAfe 

(Putting his hand in David's, 
with surprise and joy) 

Even so said Yaliweh to nie, "A remnant 
shall turn to righteousness." 

Samuel 

JMaj^ the holy remnant trust in the Holy One 
of Israel in truth. 

(Another yowng man, Jona- 
than, almost decides to join 
Isaiah, hut turns army.) 

Jonathan's Mother 

O my son, hearken to the words of the 
prophet. 

Isaiah 

(Putting his artns around the 
txvo young men) 

Come, let us walk in the li^ht of Yahweh. 

( They walk to ane side and talk. 
The people gather around a magi- 
cian performing tricks. The street 
muMcians sing and play, Joash, 
a messenger, runs in, shouting ecv- 
citedly,^') 

30 



The Drama ov Isaiah 

JOASH 

The armies of* Rezin and Pekali are with- 
drawn. Assyria has come up against Damas- 
cus and taken it. 

Crowd 

Our enemies gone! Damascus fallen I 
Where is Rezin ^ Wliat of the people? 

Joash 

Rezin is slain. The people are carried cap- 
tive. Moreover, some of the cities of Israel 
are taken. Will they not come also against 
the daughter of Zion? Surely they will not 
spare the hill of Jerusalem! We must pre- 
pare to meet Assyria. 

Jonathan 

{Speaks with indignation.) 

Is it for this that our king has taken the 
silver and gold from the house of Yahweh and 
sent it to Assyria? Is it for this that Ahaz 
polluted our temple with the altar after the 
Damascus pattern, and introduced Assyria's 
gods? Why become evil to ward off evil, and 
thus invite greater evil? We have but ex- 
changed a weak enemy for a strong one. {Pui- 

31 



The Deama of Isaiah 

ting his hand in the hand of Isaiah) Hence- 
forth I will trust Yahweh, who loves righteous- 
ness. 

Isaiah 

Out of the holy remnant shall come a puri- 
fied Jerusalem, dedicated to the righteousness 
of Yahweh. 

(Jonathan joins the other two 
disciples, and Isaiah speaks to the 
people, who are slinking out in de- 
pressed attitudes. ) 

Isaiah 

Yahweh spoke unto me, saying: 

"Forasmuch as this people have refused the 
waters of Shiloah that go softly, now there- 
fore Yahweh bringeth upon them the waters 
of the River, strong and many, even the king 
of Assyria and all his glory : and he shall come 
up over all his channels, and go over all his 
banks ; and he shall sweep onward into Judah ; 
he shall overflow and pass through; he shall 
reach even to the neck; and the stretching out 
of his wings shall fill the breadth of the land." 
For God is with us — in punishment! (Isaiah 
turns to his disciples, as all the people have 
passed out,) Let us bind up the testimony. 
{They walk to the steps of a bazaar. As they 
go, Isaiah says) Because the king of Judah 

32 



The Drama of Isaiah 

hath rejected the word of Yahweh, and the 
people of Judah have refused to turn to him, I 
will wait for Yahweh, that hideth his face from 
the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. 

{Sitting on the steps with a disciple at his 
feet, he continues) I will seal the law among 
my disciples. Let us write it down and on a 
scroll inscribe it, that it may serve in days to 
come. {Begins to dictate to disciples, who 
write on scroll,) 

Yahweh hath sent a word unto Jacob, 
And it hath lighted upon Israel. 



33 



ACT III— Scene 1 



{Street scene: tzco women come 
from opposite directions and meet 
with surprise. ) 

Judith 

Salaam, Zillah, it is many years since last 
we met. Dost thou remember that feast at 
the temple when Isaiah came and denomiced 
us for our finery? 

Zillah 

Surely, I will never forget those days of 
gaiety. Alas! since then I have sold every 
bracelet for bread. 

Judith 

Hast thou seen Isaiah? He is walking about 
the streets of Jerusalem, naked and barefoot, 
clad only in the undergarment of a captive of 
war. 

34 



The Dkama oi Isaiah 

ZiLLAH 

[GUullij) 

Then misfortune has cojiie to hini too! Dost 
thou remember that he said that Yahweh 
would take away the bravery of our anklets 
and braeelets? Perhaps he is punished for 
this! 

Judith 

No, misfoi*tune has not eome to Isaiah. He 
says he is a sign to those who trust m Egypt. 

{Enter Obadiah and Uriah.) 

Uriah 

Philistine ambassadors are here to ask the 
king- to join an allianee with Egypt. But he 
will not reeeive them. The young king ought 
not to hsten to Isaiah. 

Obadiah 

No, Isaiah ought not to be allowed to go 
about as a sign. The elders should instruct 
the new king. 

{Enter Isaiah, barefoot, 
dressed in his white nndergar- 
ment. He is followed by a jeer- 
ing crowd.) 

35 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Isaiah 

{Suddenly stopping the crowd) 

Damascus is fallen; Israel is taken captive. 
Even so shall Yahweh lead away the captive 
of Egypt. And the inhabitants of the coast- 
land shall say, "Behold the land from which 
you expected help! And we, how shall we 
escape?" 

Obadiah 

But what can we do if we will not join with 
Egypt? 

Isaiah 

Wash you, make you clean; put away the 
evil of yoiu' doings; cease to do evil; learn to 
do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, 
judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 
What mean ye that ye crush my people, and 
grind the face of the poor? 

Uriah 

But why callest thou Judah unclean and 
wicked? See how faithfully they come to the 
feasts and bring sacrifices. 

Isaiah 

Thus saith Yahweh: "Bring no more vain 
oblations; incense is an abomination unto me. 

36 



The Dra:ma of Isaiah 

Your new moons and j^our appointed feasts 
my soul hateth; they are a trouble unto me; 
I am weary of bearing them. When ye spread 
forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from 
you; yea, when ye make many prayers, I will 
not hear; your hands are full of blood." 

JOASH 

{Running) 

Tlie king comes! Our new king, Hezekiah! 

{There is a murmur of excite- 
ment in the crowd. Obadiah 
thrusts them backj putting Isaiah 
behind the others. Enter Heze- 
kiah tinder a canopy upheld by 
two attendants. ) 

Hezekiah 
{Stopping his retinue) 
Why this tumult? 

Obadiah 

Isaiah, O king, puts us to shame before the 
Philistine ambassadors. 

Hezekiah 

Come forth, Isaiah. {The crowd release 
him. ) Why this captive's garb ? 

37 



The Dkama of Isaiah 

Isaiah 

As a sign to Juclah, O king, shonld she join 
hands with Egypt and PhiHstia. 

What will the king of my people answer if 
messengers of the Philistines should speak to 
him? 

Hezekiah 

That there shall he no conspiracy with 
Eg>^pt and Philistia. 

That Yahweh hath founded Zion, and there 
the afflicted of his people find refuge. 

Isaiah 

Wilt thou always trust in Yahweh? Then 
will Judah prosper. 

{The ling invites Isaiah under 
his canojjy. They j^^i^^ ^^'^^ «w^ 
the peojyle follow with astonish' 
ixf^nt and curiosity.) 



Scene 2 



'■'(King Hezekiah seated on 
his throne; near by, Shebna, the 
treasurer, and Joah, the re- 

38 



The Dbama of Isaiah 

cor (lev; muMcimi at foot of throne 
plays, ^Iessenger, entering, given 
letter to Hi<:zEKiAif, xcho reads 
xdth e.rntement.) 

Hezekiaii 

Shebna, call the council. ( Shebna goes and 
leads in the council, tcith Isaiah; they sit in 
a circle.) You know, O rulers and princes of 
Judalu that our brother Israel is fallen and 
Assyria presses on toward Judah. We must 
prepare to meet Sennacherib of Assyria. I 
have cut a conduit in the solid rock, bringing 
the water into the pool of Siloam. What more 
shall we do to save Judah? 



Shebna 

(Horn is heard,) 

Help is at our doors. An ambassador from 
Egypt beseeches the king for entrance. 

Isaiah 

Woe imto those who go down to Egypt for 
help, who rely on horsemen because they are 
strong, but look not to Israel's Holy One, nor 
consult Yahweh. 

39 



Thr Drama of Isaiah 

i 

JOAH 

Must we not, O king, receive this ambas- 
sador from Egypt, lest the Egyptians also 
become our enemies? (Hezekiah signifies 
assent and signs for Joah to bring in 
ambassador, ) 

Isaiah 

The Egyptians are men, and not God; their 
horses are flesh, and not spirit: when Yahweh 
shall stretch forth his hand, both the helper 
and the helped shall fall. 

(An ambassador from Egypt 
enters with blare of trumpets, 
kneels and offers a present and a 
paper to Hezekiah, who reads 
and hands it to Shebna.) 

Shebna 

O king, let us flee to the shelter of Pharaoh ; 
let us seek protection in Egypt; Pharaoh is our 
brother and friend. 

Isaiah 

{To Hezekiah) 

The shelter will turn to your shame, and the 
refuge to your confusion. 

40 



The Drama of Isaiah 

(To Shebna) 

What right hast thou here? (Seizing the 
paper which he is holding toward Hezekiah) 
What kin hast thou here, that thou hewest out 
a sepulcher for thyself in the rock on high? 
Behold, Yahweh will hurl thee, will hurl thee 
away, O mighty man; he will roll thee, will 
roll thee together and toss thee like a ball into 
a wide-stretching land. Thither shalt thou go 
to die, and thither will go thy splendid chariots, 
thou disgrace to the house of thy lord. 
(Throws paper on floor.) 

Shebna 
( Picking up paper ) 

O king, heed not the vain words of a 
prophet. (Hands the paper to Hezekiah, 
who J taking itj bows his head upon his hands,) 

Isaiah 

(To the Egyptian) 

Ah, land of the shrill buzzing of insects' 
wings! Depart, O fleet messenger, to a na- 
tion tall and of polished skin, for before the 
harvest, when the blossom is over, Yahweh will 
lop your branches with pruning knives. 

n 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Messenger from Ekron 

{Leading a prisoner) 

Know, O king, that Sennacherib has come 
as far as Sidon, whose king he has removed 
and whose people he has tortured; therefore 
the people of Ekron have joined with Egypt 
against Assyria. But their king, Padi, is a 
traitor {pushing his prisoner contemptuously) , 
he will not plan with Eg\^t. The people of 
Ekron, therefore, ask thee to keep him in 
chains. 

Shebna 

See, O kin^, what has befallen a king who 
would not join with Egypt. 

Hezekiah 

{Rising, finally makes his deci- 
sion, signs the paper and gives it to 
Shebna, who hunds it to the Egyp- 
tian, who leaves.) 

Eliakim, prepare the gifts for Pharaoh. 
(Eliakim goes out.) Shebna, conduct Padi 
to prison. (Shebna starts, hut stops and 
liste^is to Isaiah.) 

42 



The Dkama of Isaiah 

Isaiah 

''Woe to the uninily sons I" says Yahweh, 
"Carrying out a purpose ^vliich is not mine, 
iVnd concluding a treaty contraiy to my Spirit, 

tlius adding sin to sin; 
Who set forth on the way to Egypt 
Without asking my counsel ! 
Because ye reject my word and trust in wile 

and policy, 
Therefore, this guilty act shall be to you like 

a bulge in a wall ready to fall." 

(7'oHezekiah) 

By turning and remaining quiet ye \\ould 
have been delivered. In quietness and con- 
fidence would have been your sti'cngth. 

(Shebxa and other councilors 
confer with Hezekiah about 
Isaiah. The king motions for 
Shebxa to take him. Shebxa sig- 
nals soldiers to take Isaiah, xdio 
breaks an' ay from them.) 



Isaiah 

( With rapture, xchile Hezekiah 
listens incrednlously) 
13 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Yet will Yaliweh protect the city of David. 

Ho Ariel, Ariel, the city where David en- 
camped ! 

The multitude of all the nations that fight 
against Ariel 

Shall be as when an hungry man dreameth ; 

Behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul 
is empty; 

Or as when a thirsty man dreameth ; 

Behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, be- 
hold, he is faint. 

So shall the multitude of all the nations be, 
that fight against mount Zion. 

(Shebna motions to the two 
soldiers to take him away. Heze- 
KiAH shows regret for his decision, 
starts after Isaiah as if he would 
still save him, then hows his head 
in despair as the prison door 
slams. ) 



Scene 3 



. {Room in palace; Hezekiah on 
conch; light low; Abnee, a 
watcher at foot of bed. Knocking 
on the door: attendant admits a 
Messenger from Ekron, but does 
not enter.) 

u 



TwE Drama of Isaiah 

Messenger from Ekron 

Ekron is fallen; the governors and princes 
are killed and their corpses are bound on poles 
round the city. It is not far, O king, from 
Ekron to Jerusalem. 



Hezekiah 

[Half rmng) 

But Egypt! Will not Pharaoh's army stop 
them? Egypt promised to protect Judah. 

Abner 
{Returning) 

O king, messengers have arrived saying 
Egypt is defeated. On the north of Ekron 
they took their stand to hold Assyria back 
from Jerusalem, but their horsemen overrode 
them and Egypt fled. 

Hezekiah 

A broken staff is Pharaoh of Egypt to all 
who lean upon him. 

Shebna 

{Entering in haste) 
'15 



The Drama or Isaiah 

Fear not. We can \vin the friendship of 
Sennacherib, — friendship is easily bought. 
Here is a letter I have prepared for thee to 
send him. (Reads.) "Hezekiah, king of 
Judah, to Sennacherib, king of Assyria, at 
Lachish: I have offended; return from me: 
that which thou puttest on me will I bear. I 
send thee three hundred talents of silver and 
thirty talents of gold, and pray thee to turn 
back from Judah. I am thy servant and thy 



son. 



Hezekiah 

{Despairingly, to Abner) 

Send for Ehakim. {Eivit Abner. To 
Shebna) O thou crafty treasurer who thmkest 
to buy priceless treasures with money! Thou 
hast degraded the house of Judah. First, thou 
didst persuade my father, King Ahaz, to buy 
the friendship of Assyria ; then thou didst draw 
me into a compact with Egypt. Xow I am 
but thy slave, and Judah is betrayed. {He 
angrily signs the letter presented by Shebna.) 

Eliakim 
{Entering) 

AVhat is thy command, O king? 
46 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Hezekiaii 
(To Eliakim) 
Cut off the gold from the doors of the tem- 
ple of Yahweh, and from the overlaid pillars, 
and send it to the king of Assyria. {E.vit 
Eliakim.) 

Shebna 
{I'd Hezekiah, who has thrown 
himself down in desjyair.) 
Fear not, O king, for armies and money 
win all things. 

(Abner rushes in xcith terror in 
his ei/es and a letter in his hand, 
saying) 

Abner 
Messengers from Sennacherih hring this 
letter. 

(Shebxa takes letter as it is be- 
ing handed to Hezekiah.) 

Hezekiah 
Is not the letter to the king of Judah? 
(Puts out his hand for it, and Shebxa re- 
hictantly hands it over. Hezekiah reads.) 
"Sennacheril) of Assyria, to Hezekiah of 
Judah: I have heard that thou art overcome 
hy the hrightness of my appearance. Snr- 

47 



The Drama of Isaiah 

render, then, the city ot Jerusalem, that it be 
not destroyed. Let not thy God in whom thou 
trustest deceive thee, saying, ^Jerusalem shall 
not be given into the hand of the king of 
Assyria.' Behold, thou hast heard what the 
king of Assyria did to all lands, by destroying 
them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered?" 
(Hezekiah, overcome, falls on his knees, 
Jiolding out the letter as if for Yahweh to see,) 
Of a truth, O Yahweh, the kings of Assyria 
have laid waste all lands, and have cast their 
gods into the fire : for they were no gods, but 
the work of men's hands, wood and stone. But 
thou, O Yahweh, art the God of all kingdoms 
of the earth ; thou hast made heaven and earth. 
Save us, therefore, from his hand. (Rises sud- 
denly as if with a new idea. To Abner) 
Send for Isaiah. Say to him, "This is a day 
of trouble and rebuke ; lift up thy prayer, that 
Yahweh save Judah." (Abner departs; 
Hezekiah falls on the couch, turning his face 
to the wall; Abner enters with Isaiah bound 
and leaves him alone with the king,) 

Isaiah 

( Without approaching Hezekiah) 

Thus saith Yahweh, "Set thy house in order; 
for thou shalt die, and not live." (Hezekiah 
does not turn his face toward Isaiah, but 
writhes in agony as Isaiah continues,) 

48 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Your country is desolate; your cities are 

burned with fire; 
The daughter of Zion is left like a booth in a 

vineyard, 
Like a lodge in a garden of cucumbers. 
Why will ye be still stricken, that ye revolt 

more and more? 
The whole head is sick, and the whole heart 
faint. 

Hezekiah 
(Rising and holding out his arms 
toward Isaiah) 
Ah, I have sinned against Yahweh, and 
against his prophet, and against his people. 

Isaiah 

(Looking at him long and 
searchingly) 
Thus saith Yahweh; "I will deliver thee and 
this city out of the hand of the king of As- 
syria, and I will defend this city." 

Abner 

(Running in eoccitedly) 
Rabshakeh, the captain of Sennacherib's 
army, is standing in the highway of the fuller's 
field, by the conduit, and demands to speak 
with the king upon the wall. 

49 



The Dkama or Isaiah 

Shebna 

(Who has been restlessly walk- 
ing about) 

Send me, O king, let me treat with Senna- 
cherib's general. 

Hezekiah 

{Looking him in the eyes) 

Thy policy and wile it is that has hmiiiliated 
Judah — thy scorn of faith and justice, thy 
trust in power and armies. (To Abner) Set 
Isaiah free. (Signifies that Shebna is to he 
taken away by Abner. Abner expresses per- 
sonal dislike of Shebna, motioning to the sol- 
diers to bind him and take him to prison. He 
then brings the robe and the crown of the king 
to prepare him to go out upon the wall. While 
Hezekiah is being robed, Isaiah speaks.) 

Isaiah 

Ho Assyria, the rod of mine anger, 
The staff of mine indignation ! 
Who thinketh in his heart, 
'T am strong and prudent; 
On the riches of the peoples 
My hand has seized as on a nest ; 
As unguarded eggs are carried away, 
Have I carried off the earth; 

50 



Till: Di{A3iA or Isaiah 

There was none that fluttered the wing, 
Or opened the beak, or chirped." 
Behold, Yahweh w\\\ break in pieces the rod 
of Assyria; 
He will put a spirit of fear within him, and 
he shall return to his ow^n land, and the rem- 
nant that is escaped of the house of Judah 
shall trust in the justice of YaliAveh. 

(Hezekiah takes Isaiah by the 
arm and they walk away.) 



Scene 3 



( Wall of Jerusalem; '^ Eliakim 
a)id JoAH on one side and Isaiah 
on the other, with his disciples. 
The cj'owd surround them.) 

Rabshakeh 

(Shouts jirst in Hebrew) 

O ho! Hezekiah, king of Judah, — a mes- 
senger from Sennacherib, king of Assyria. 

(A citizen runs out and peers 
over the wall; then, as he reports, 
a shout is heard as the king and 
jyeople come.) 

51 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Rabshakeh 

{In English, then in Hehretc) 

Thus saith the great king, the king of As-j 
Syria, "What confidence is this wherein thouj 
trustest? Thinkest thou that a mere word of 
the hps is counsel and strength for war?" 
How canst thou repel the onset of the least 
sen^ants of my lord ? 

Eliakim 

Speak, we pray, to thy servants in Aramaic ; 
we understand it ; but speak not to us in He- 
brew in the presence of the people who are on 
the wall. 

Rabshakeh 

Is it to you only that my lord hath sent me 
to speak these words? Is it not to them who 
are upon the wall, and who will be driven to 
eat and drink filthy food with you? {Repeat 
in Hebrew.) 

Hezekiah 

{Motioning to the people to stop 
their murmuring) 

Answer him not. 

52 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Rabshakeh 

Hear ye the words of the great king of As- 
syria: "Let not Hezekiah deceive you; for he 
is unable to rescue you: and let not Hezekiah 
make you trust in Yahweh, saying, 'Yahweh 
will surely rescue us.' " Hearken not to Heze- 
kiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, "Make 
friendship with me, and come out to me; and 
ye shall eat every one of his own vine and 
fig-tree." Thus saith Sennacherib, "Heze- 
kiah will I shut up like a caged bird in Jeru- 
salem!" 

Hezekiah 

Whom hast thou reproached and blas- 
phemed? Against whom hast thou lifted up 
thy voice? Even against the Holy One of 
Israel. Dost thou think to overcome Yahweh 
by the multitude of thy chariots? 

Isaiah 

Thus saith Yahweh concerning Assyria, 
"He shall not come into this city, 
Nor shoot an arrow into it. 
Nor come before it with a shield. 
Nor cast up a mound against it. 
I will guard this city, that I may rescue it." 
Go say this to your great king of Assyria. 

(Rabshakeh departs.) 
53 



The Drama or Isaiah 

Crowd 
( With attitudes of fear) 

Will they return? Will Sennacherib come? 
What shall we do? 

JOAH 

Of what use is faith? Let us eat and drink, 
for tomorrow we die. 

Isaiah 

What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly 

gone 
Up to the housetops? 
O thou that art full of shoutings, tumultuous 

city! 
Thus are they who tnast in horses and chariots ; 
The work of righteousness shall bring quiet. 

JoAH 

But hath not Rabshakeh said that Senna- 
cherib is coming with his army? What is trust 
vand righteousness against an army? 

Isaiah 

The effect of righteousness is peace and con- 
fidence forever. 

"Come now, and let us reason together," saith 
Yahweh ; 

54 



The Drama of Isaiah 

"Though your sins be as scarlet, 
They shall be as white as snow ; 
Though they be red like crimson, 
They shall be as wool." 
O my people, that dwellest in Zion, 
Turn to Yahweh, join his holy remnant. 
Like a mother bird fluttering about her nest. 
So will Yahweh protect Jerusalem, 
Sheltering and delivering, sparing and res- 
cuing her. 

Joshua, a Messenger 
{In terror-stricken tones) 

The angel of Yahweh has gone forth, and 
has slain in the camp of the Assyrians a hun- 
dred and fourscore and five thousand. 

( The people how in awe and ter- 
ror.) 

Hezekiah 

This is the terror of Yahweh, and the glory 
of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake 
mightily the earth. 

JOASH, ANOTHER MESSENGER 

{Not knowing that the news has 
been given) 

55 



The Drama of Isaiah 
• 
Sennacherib's army is gone. An Egyptian 
said that the field-mice gnawed their bow- 
strings; another said that a rumor of war at 
home called them. {Looks surprised at the 
attitude of the people.) 



Hezekiah 

{To the messenger) 

Yahweh hath delivered us from the mighty 
man and the man of war. 

Shelah 

How still is the despot become, how quiet the 
raging! 

Broken has Yahweh the staff of the wicked, 
the rod of the tyrant, 

That smote peoples in passion, with stroke un- 
remitting. 

Which trampled the nations in anger, un- 
checked was his trampling. 

Now the whole earth is at rest, they break 
forth into singing. 

Yea, the fir-trees rejoice, and Lebanon's 
cedars. 

{People gradually rise and listen 
to her.) 

56 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Rise up, ye daughters of Zion; 

Hearken, ye men of Judah ; 

Let us cleanse now the thoughts of our hearts. 

And make just the deeds of our hands. 

Until the Spirit be poured from on high, 

And Jerusalem in truth be holy; 

Until the wilderness become a fruitful field, 

And the barren field a forest. 

Isaiah 

O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light 

of Yahweh. 
Let each one cast away his idols of silver and 

his idols of gold to the moles and to the 

bats. 
Let the rich keep no more the spoil of the poor 

in his house, nor grind the face of the poor 

in the market. Come. 

(Isaiah leads the way toward 
the temple, the crowd following; 
noise of the breaking of altars and 
idols in the temple is heard. Heze- 
KiAH returns, bringing a brass ser- 
pent,) 

Hezekiah 

(Breaking serpent) 

Nehushtan, no one shall again bum incense 
to nothingness. All shall trust in Yahweh. {To 

57 



The Drama of Isaiah 
• 
Eliakim) Go, cut down the sacred pillars in 
Judah. Remove the high places and cut down 
the Asherah. 

(Isaiah, taking the spears and 
swords of the soldiers, hurls them to 
the ground,) 

{The Chorus is heard singing. 
All kneel and lift hands in attitude 
of prayer.) 

Chorus 

Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of hosts : 
The whole earth is full of his glory. 

{All join in softly, looking up,) 

Isaiah 

Days shall come when Yahweh shall judge be- 
tween the nations, 

And give decision to many peoples ; 

And they shall beat their swords into plow- 
shares, 

And their spears into pruning-hooks ; 

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, 

Neither shall they learn war any more. 

Then the poor will be judged with justice. 

And the meek reproved with equity. 

Righteousness shall girdle the earth. 

And faithfulness. 

58 



The Drama of Isaiah 

( The king rises, and, gradually, 
the people,^^') 

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, 
And the leopard lie down with the kid ; 
The calf and the lion shall graze together ; 
And a little child shall lead them. 

There shall none hm^t nor destroy in all my 
holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of 
the knowledge of Yahweh, as the waters cover 
the sea. 

Full Chorus of All 

Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of hosts : 
The whole earth is full of his glory. 



59 



NOTES 



Note 1 

The author desires that the drama shall be 
given wherever there are groups interested in 
presenting the literature of the Old Testa- 
ment, but hopes that plans will be made to 
present it adequately. It is evident that the 
part of Isaiah the Prophet must be taken by 
some one with spiritual understanding and 
power. 

This is a drama which may well enlist the 
cooperation of those of all ages in a group. 
The older and more experienced should take 
the parts of prophet, kings, and councilors, 
while the younger may make up the Jerusalem 
crowd. 

The right to produce this drama is granted 
only on condition that at least ten copies be 
purchased for that purpose. 

Arrangements may be made with the au- 
thor of the drama for assistance in its produc- 
tion. 

The play is printed in form for production 
in a fully equipped theater; it has, however, 

60 



The Drama of Isaiah 

been given successfully out of doors and in 
churches where there were no curtains, and 
little opportunity for change of scene. Slight 
changes in the text and arrangements are 
necessary under these conditions. They will be 
indicated in the notes throughout. 

Modern Palestinian costumes are preferable, 
because they are more like ancient garments 
than anything else obtainable. But costumes 
may be made by copying the general lines and 
colors of the costumes of Orientals, especially 
Syrians. Isaiah's prophetic robe may be mod- 
eled on the Sargent picture. 

The "Synopsis of the Play" is recommended 
for use on programs. 

Note 2 

The temple may be represented by any door- 
way out of which light and music may come, 
or a scene may be painted representing the 
pillars of Joachim and Boaz. An altar of in- 
cense may stand in the doorway. See Stade's 
reconstruction of Solomon's temple in Ge- 
schichte Israels, pp. 325-329. 

Note 3 

Omit if there are no musicians. A mandolin 
may be used to play the tune of "Anitata," 
page viii. 

61 



The Drama of Isaiah 

• 
Description of the Syrian ''Dehke'' Dance 

First Movement: Form a circle, lock fin- 
gers and elbows ; step to the right with the left 
foot, put right foot back of left ; repeat ; stamp 
left foot forward, stamp left foot side, double 
knee bend, straighten. 

Second Movement: Left forlvard bent-knee 
step, right back bent-knee step; repeat; left 
foot forward stretch, left foot sidewise stretch, 
left bent-knee step, stamp right. 

Break circle, first for girl, then for boy to 
dance alone in center, swinging hands from 
side to side above head. 

Note 4 
See Mourning Song on page ix. 

Note 5 

When there is no curtain, let Shelah say: 
"Come, it is the hour of prayer." This and 
the following scene may be blended by having 
the priest enter at once, followed by the group 
who pray. Lights should be lowered. 

Note 6 

While Isaiah prays, the stage should be dark 
until illuminated by a shaft of light from the 
temple. 

62 



The Drama of Isaiah 

Note 7 

See Celestial Chorus, page viii. This chorus 
should be sung by soprano voices accompanied 
by violin. The music should seem to come 
either from above or from within the temple. 

Note 8 

The bazaars may be constructed of rough 
lumber on a platform about two feet high and 
twelve feet long. The bazaars are five feet 
wide by seven feet high. Place them at each 
end of the platform, leaving two feet between. 
If bazaars are not possible, peddlers maj^ sell 
the articles mentioned. 

Note 9 

For picture of ancient Jewish harp, see 
Jewish encyclopedia, article on "Harp and 
Lyre" ; also Encyc. Bib., article on "Music," p. 
3233. 

Note 10 
See Celestial Chorus in minor, page ix. 

Note 11 

The spring may be represented by circular 
frame covered with painted cloth. 

Two or three palm-trees are desirable. 
When the play is given out of doors, natural 

63 



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